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2025 Paper 2 Q6
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

  1. The circle \(x^2 + (y-a)^2 = r^2\) touches the parabola \(2ky = x^2\), where \(k > 0\), tangentially at two points. Show that \(r^2 = k(2a - k)\). Show further that if \(r^2 = k(2a - k)\) and \(a > k > 0\), then the circle \(x^2 + (y-a)^2 = r^2\) touches the parabola \(2ky = x^2\) tangentially at two points.
  2. The lines \(y = c \pm x\) are tangents to the circle \(x^2 + (y-a)^2 = r^2\). Find \(r^2\), and the coordinates of the points of contact, in terms of \(a\) and \(c\).
  3. \(C_1\) and \(C_2\) are circles with equations \(x^2 + (y-a_1)^2 = r_1^2\) and \(x^2 + (y-a_2)^2 = r_2^2\) respectively, where \(a_1 \neq a_2\) and \(r_1 \neq r_2\). Each circle touches the parabola \(2ky = x^2\) tangentially at two points and the lines \(y = c \pm x\) are tangents to both circles.
    1. Show that \(a_1 + a_2 = 2c + 4k\) and that \(a_1^2 + a_2^2 = 2c^2 + 16kc + 12k^2\).
    2. The circle \(x^2 + (y-d)^2 = p^2\) passes through the four points of tangency of the lines \(y = c \pm x\) to the two circles, \(C_1\) and \(C_2\). Find \(d\) and \(p^2\) in terms of \(k\) and \(c\).
    3. Show that the circle \(x^2 + (y-d)^2 = p^2\) also touches the parabola \(2ky = x^2\) tangentially at two points.


Solution:

  1. TikZ diagram
    By symmetry we can observe that the parabola and circle will intersect \(0, 1\) (at the base), \(2, 4\) times. So setting up our system of equations we have: \begin{align*} &&& \begin{cases} x^2 + (y-a)^2 &= r^2 \\ 2ky &= x^2 \end{cases} \\ \Rightarrow && r^2 &= x^2 + \left (\frac{x^2}{2k} - a \right )^2 \\ \Rightarrow &&r^2 &= x^2 + a^2 - \frac{ax^2}{k} + \frac{x^4}{4k^2} \\ \Rightarrow &&0 &= \frac{1}{4k^2} x^4 + \left ( 1 - \frac{a}{k} \right) x^2 + a^2 - r^2 \\ \Rightarrow && \Delta &= \left ( 1 - \frac{a}{k} \right)^2-4 \cdot \frac{1}{4k^2} (a^2 - r^2) \\ &&&= 1 - \frac{2a}{k} + \frac{a^2}{k^2} - \frac{a^2}{k^2} + \frac{r^2}{k^2} \\ &&&= \frac{k^2-2ka+r^2}{k^2} \end{align*} Since there will be (at most) two solutions if \(\Delta = 0\) we must have if the circle and parabola are tangent \(r^2 - 2ka + k^2 = 0 \Rightarrow r^2 = k(2a-k)\). So long as there is a solution \(x^2 > 0\) there will be two tangent points, so if \(-\left(1 - \frac{a}{k}\right) > 0\) or \(a > k > 0\)
  2. Since \(y = c \pm x\) are tangent to the circle with radius \(r\) and centre \((0,a)\) we have the following equations: \begin{align*} &&& \begin{cases} x^2 + (y-a)^2 &= r^2 \\ c \pm x &= y \end{cases} \\ \Rightarrow && r^2 &= x^2 + (c -a\pm x)^2 \\ &&&= 2x^2+(c-a)^2 \pm 2x(c-a) \\ \Rightarrow && \Delta &= 4(c-a)^2 -4 \cdot 2 \left ( (c-a)^2 -r^2 \right)\\ &&&= 8r^2-4(c-a)^2 \\ \Rightarrow && x &= \frac{\mp 2(c-a) \pm \sqrt{\Delta}}{4} \\ &&&= \mp \frac12 (c-a) \\ && y &= \pm \frac12 (c+a) \\ && (x,y) &= \left (\frac12 (c-a), \frac12 (c+a)\right), \left (-\frac12 (c-a), -\frac12 (c+a)\right) \end{align*}

2021 Paper 3 Q5
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0

Two curves have polar equations \(r = a + 2\cos\theta\) and \(r = 2 + \cos 2\theta\), where \(r \geqslant 0\) and \(a\) is a constant.

  1. Show that these curves meet when \[ 2\cos^2\theta - 2\cos\theta + 1 - a = 0. \] Hence show that these curves touch if \(a = \tfrac{1}{2}\) and find the other two values of \(a\) for which the curves touch.
  2. Sketch the curves \(r = a + 2\cos\theta\) and \(r = 2 + \cos 2\theta\) on the same diagram in the case \(a = \tfrac{1}{2}\). Give the values of \(r\) and \(\theta\) at the points at which the curves touch and justify the other features you show on your sketch.
  3. On two further diagrams, one for each of the other two values of \(a\), sketch both the curves \(r = a + 2\cos\theta\) and \(r = 2 + \cos 2\theta\). Give the values of \(r\) and \(\theta\) at the points at which the curves touch and justify the other features you show on your sketch.


Solution:

  1. The curves meet when they have the same radius for a given \(\theta\) ie \begin{align*} && a + 2 \cos \theta &= 2 + \cos 2 \theta \\ &&&= 2 + 2\cos^2 \theta - 1 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= 2 \cos ^2 \theta - 2 \cos \theta + 1 - a \end{align*} The curves touch if this has a repeated root, ie \(0 = \Delta = 4 - 8(1-a) \Rightarrow a = \frac12\). The second way the curves can touch is if there is a single root, but it's at an extreme value of \(\cos \theta = \pm 1\) ie \(0 = 2 - 2\cdot(\pm1) + 1 - a \Rightarrow a = 3 \pm 2 = 1, 5\)
  2. Suppose \(a = \frac12\) then the curves touch when \(0 = 2\cos^2 \theta - 2 \cos \theta + \frac12 = (2 \cos \theta-1 )(\cos \theta -\frac12) \Rightarrow \theta = \pm \frac{\pi}{3}\)
    TikZ diagram
  3. \(a = 1\)
    TikZ diagram
    \(a = 5\)
    TikZ diagram

2016 Paper 3 Q6
D: 1700.0 B: 1484.0

Show, by finding \(R\) and \(\gamma\), that \(A \sinh x + B\cosh x \) can be written in the form \(R\cosh (x+\gamma)\) if \(B>A>0\). Determine the corresponding forms in the other cases that arise, for \(A>0\), according to the value of \(B\). Two curves have equations \(y = \textrm{sech} x\) and \(y = a\tanh x + b\,\), where \(a>0\).

  1. In the case \(b>a\), show that if the curves intersect then the \(x\)-coordinates of the points of intersection can be written in the form \[ \pm\textrm{arcosh} \left( \frac 1 {\sqrt{b^2-a^2}}\right) - {\rm artanh \,} \frac a b .\]
  2. Find the corresponding result in the case \(a>b>0\,\).
  3. Find necessary and sufficient conditions on \(a\) and \(b\) for the curves to intersect at two distinct points.
  4. Find necessary and sufficient conditions on \(a\) and \(b\) for the curves to touch and, given that they touch, express the \(y\)-coordinate of the point of contact in terms of \(a\).


Solution: \begin{align*} && R\cosh(x + \gamma) &=R \cosh x \cosh \gamma + R \sinh x \sinh \gamma \\ \Rightarrow && R \cosh \gamma &= B \\ && R \sinh \gamma &= A \\ \Rightarrow && R^2 &= B^2 - A^2 \\ \Rightarrow && \tanh \gamma &= \frac{A}{B} \\ \end{align*} Therefore it is possible, by writing \(R = \sqrt{B^2-A^2}\) and \(\gamma = \textrm{artanh} \left ( \frac{A}{B} \right)\). This works as long as \(|B| > A > 0\). Supposing \(A >|B| \), try \(S \sinh (x + \delta) = S \sinh x \cosh \delta +S \cosh x \sinh \delta\) \begin{align*} && S \cosh \delta &= A \\ && -S \sinh \delta &= B \\ \Rightarrow && S^2 &= A^2 - B^2 \\ \Rightarrow && \tanh \delta &= \frac{B}{A} \\ \end{align*} Therefore in this case we can write \(\sqrt{A^2-B^2} \sinh \left (x + \tanh^{-1} \left ( \frac{B}{A} \right) \right)\) If \(A = \pm B > 0\) we can we have \(A \sinh x + B \cosh x = \pm Ae^{\pm x}\)

  1. Suppose \(y \cosh x = 1\) and \(y \cosh x = a \sinh x +b \cosh x\) so \begin{align*} && 1 & = a \sinh x + b \cosh x \\ &&&= \sqrt{b^2-a^2} \cosh(x + \textrm{artanh} \frac{a}{b} ) \\ \Rightarrow && x + \textrm{artanh} \frac{a}{b} &= \pm \textrm{arcosh} \left ( \frac{1}{\sqrt{b^2-a^2}} \right) \\ \Rightarrow && x &= \pm \textrm{arcosh} \left ( \frac{1}{\sqrt{b^2-a^2}} \right) -\textrm{artanh} \frac{a}{b} \end{align*}
  2. If \( a > b > 0\) we have \begin{align*} && 1 & = \sqrt{a^2-b^2} \sinh \left ( x - \textrm{artanh} \frac{b}{a} \right) \\ \Rightarrow && x &= \textrm{arsinh} \left ( \frac{1}{\sqrt{a^2-b^2}} \right) + \textrm{artanh} \left ( \frac{b}{a} \right) \end{align*}
  3. To intersect at distinct points we must have \(b > a\) and \(\textrm{arcosh} \left ( \frac{1}{\sqrt{b^2-a^2}} \right) \neq 0\) which is always true.
  4. For the curves to touch, we need them to intersect and have matching derivatives, ie \begin{align*} && -\tanh x \cdot \textrm{sech}x &= a\textrm{sech}^2 x \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= \textrm{sech}^2 x (a + \sinh x) \\ \Rightarrow && x &= -\textrm{arsinh} \, a\\ \Rightarrow && \sinh x &= - a\\ \Rightarrow &&\cosh x &= \sqrt{1 + a^2} \\ \end{align*} So if the curves touch, we must have \(1 = -a^2+b\sqrt{1+a^2} \Rightarrow b = \sqrt{1+a^2}\) and since this does work it is a necessary and sufficient condition. We will also have the \(y\) coordinate is \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{1+a^2}}\)

2012 Paper 3 Q3
D: 1700.0 B: 1468.7

It is given that the two curves \[ y=4-x^2 \text{ and } m x = k-y^2\,, \] where \(m > 0\), touch exactly once.

  1. In each of the following four cases, sketch the two curves on a single diagram, noting the coordinates of any intersections with the axes:
    1. \(k < 0\, \);
    2. \(0 < k < 16\), \(k/m < 2\,\);
    3. \(k > 16\), \(k/m > 2\,\);
    4. \(k > 16\), \(k/m < 2\,\).
  2. Now set \(m=12\). Show that the \(x\)-coordinate of any point at which the two curves meet satisfies \[ x^4-8x^2 +12x +16-k=0\,. \] Let \(a\) be the value of \(x\) at the point where the curves touch. Show that \(a\) satisfies \[ a^3 -4a +3 =0 \] and hence find the three possible values of \(a\). Derive also the equation \[ k= -4a^2 +9a +16\,. \] Which of the four sketches in part (i) arise?


Solution:

    1. \(\,\)
      TikZ diagram
    2. \(\,\)
      TikZ diagram
    3. \(\,\)
      TikZ diagram
    4. \(\,\)
      TikZ diagram
  1. Suppose \(m = 12\) \begin{align*} && y &= 4-x^2 \\ && 12x &= k-y^2 \\ \Rightarrow && 12 x&=k-(4-x^2)^2 \\ &&&= k-16+8x^2-x^4 \\ \Rightarrow && 0 &= x^4- 8x^2+12x+16-k \end{align*} When the curves touch, we will have repeated root, ie \(a\) is a root of \(4x^3-16x+12 \Rightarrow a^3-4a+3 =0\). \begin{align*} &&0 &= a^3-4a+3 \\ &&&= (a-1)(a^2+a-3) \\ \Rightarrow &&a &= 1, \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{13}}{2} \end{align*} \begin{align*} && 0 &= a^4-8a^2+12a+16-k \\ \Rightarrow && k &= a(a^3-8a+12)+16 \\ &&&= a(4a-3-8a+12)+16 \\ &&&= -4a^2+9a+16 \\ \\ \Rightarrow && a = 1& \quad k = 21 \\ && k &= -4(3-a)+9a+16 = 13a+4\\ && a = \frac{-1-\sqrt{13}}2& \quad k = \frac{-5 - 13\sqrt{13}}{2} < 0 \\ && a = \frac{-1+\sqrt{13}}2& \quad k = \frac{-5 + 13\sqrt{13}}{2} \\ \end{align*} So we have type (a), and (d).

2007 Paper 1 Q8
D: 1500.0 B: 1516.0

A curve is given by the equation \[ y = ax^3 - 6ax^2+ \left( 12a + 12 \right)x - \left( 8a + 16 \right)\,, \tag{\(*\)} \] where \(a\) is a real number. Show that this curve touches the curve with equation \[ y=x^3 \tag{\(**\)} \] at \(\left( 2 \, , \, 8 \right)\). Determine the coordinates of any other point of intersection of the two curves.

  1. Sketch on the same axes the curves \((*)\) and \((**)\) when \(a = 2\).
  2. Sketch on the same axes the curves \((*)\) and \((**)\) when \(a = 1\).
  3. Sketch on the same axes the curves \((*)\) and \((**)\) when \(a = -2\).


Solution: \begin{align*} && y &= ax^3 - 6ax^2+ \left( 12a + 12 \right)x - \left( 8a + 16 \right) \\ && y(2) &= 8a-24a+24a+24-8a-16 \\ &&&= 8 \\ && y'(x) &= 3ax^2-12ax+(12a+12) \\ && y'(0) &= 12a-24a+12a+12 \\ &&&= 12 \end{align*} Therefore since our curve has the same value and gradient at \((2,8)\) as \(y = x^3\) they must touch at this point. Therefore \begin{align*} && ax^3 - 6ax^2+ \left( 12a + 12 \right)x - \left( 8a + 16 \right) - x^3 &= (x-2)^2((a-1)x-(2a+4)) \end{align*} Therefore if \(a \neq 1\), they touch again when \(x = \frac{2a+4}{a-1}\).

  1. TikZ diagram
  2. TikZ diagram
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